Anti-superstition campaigner Dabholkar shot dead in Pune

Activist Narendra Dabholkar, who was running a successful anti-superstition movement in Maharashtra, was shot dead in Pune on Tuesday morning.

Dabholkar was alone on a morning walk near Omkareshwar temple when unidentified persons on a motorbike fired at him and fled. Four bullets were fired at Dabholkar in the neck and he died on the spot, said Pune police commissioner Gulabrao Pol. Police have managed to get the registration number of the bike used by the assailants.

The activist was campaigning to persuade the state government to pass an anti-superstition and black magic bill. But the bill was opposed by hardline Hindu groups like Warakari Sanghatana and Sanatan Prabhat on the ground that it hurt their religious sentiments.

He headed the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti (committee for eradication of blind faith), an organisation with the aim to promote rational thought and scientific temper.

Dabholkar had authored several books and was the editor of progressive magazine Sadhana.

“He believed in non-violence,” said Dabholkar's daughter Mukta Patwardhan. “He had not sought any security.”

Maharashtra home minister RR Patil condemned the killing of Dabholkar.

“Dabholkar represented a progressive movement in the state,” said Patil.